Community Engagement : True North Financial Partners | Waltham, MA

Community Engagement

While a client’s financial success is the foundation of what we do at True North, we are also stewards of positive change in our community. For several years, members of our team have made a meaningful impact through volunteering, supporting or contributing to the following charitable organizations and their missions. We hope that our efforts will inspire and motivate others to do the same.

x

Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust

Crowther, who became known nationally after he saved at least a dozen people before ultimately dying in the South Tower collapse of the World Trade Center at the age of 24, was a BC alumnus who played on the school’s lacrosse team. He was known for sporting a red bandana under his helmet each practice and game, the same type of bandana he wore over his face to protect himself from smoke as he guided others to safety during the September, 11, 2001 attack. Survivors remembered his red bandana when they told stories about a stranger who repeatedly rushed back into the building to save people who needed help.

The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in September 2001 by the Crowther Family to honor and keep their beloved son’s memory alive through good works benefitting young people. The mission of the Welles Remy Crowther Trust recognizes and awards academic and athletic excellence in young men and women who serve their communities through education, health, recreation and character development. The Trust supports other not-for-profit organizations that benefit young people through annual gifts and special awards.

Ted Ritchie enjoys showing support by participating annually in one of Boston College’s proudest traditions, the Red Bandanna Run, when the BC community and the public at large come together for a fundraising run held to honor 9/11 hero Welles Remy Crowther ’99.

x

The Julie Fund

The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the single largest source of philanthropic research funding for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Gynecologic Cancer Research Program. The Fund has raised more than $3.5 million and has impacted thousands of lives through its research funding, support of educational programs, and by providing non-medical expenses for the families of women battling cancer.

All members of True North Financial Partners Team participate throughout the year in various fund raising events to support The Julie Fund, since its founding by our Managing Partner in memory of his wife.

x

Mass General Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)

Mass General Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) volunteers have been a central part of the hospital for over 200 years and are one of its most valued resources.

Volunteers represent all age groups, backgrounds and experiences, and they share a common goal of making a world of difference at Massachusetts General Hospital. Each year, over 1300 volunteers provide over 90,000 hours of service to patients, families and visitors.

Bobby Abendroth can be found in a few volunteer roles from helping the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology support staff with administrative tasks to interacting with the children who are facing serious blood disorders or diagnosis.

x

Why Me

Why Me is a Worcester-based is a grass roots nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing love and support services to families with childhood cancer. Why Me was started in 1985 by 13-year-old Sherry Shepherd during her four year battle with cancer. In the last months of her life, Sherry became determined to do something that would have a lasting value in the community to help children with cancer. With the help of her dad, she founded the non-profit organization WHY ME, which stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.

Ted Ritchie supports friend and colleague, Terry Shepherd, who helped start the organization in 1985. This year, the True North Financial Partners team participated in the annual golf tournament to help raise awareness and money for WhyMe.

x

Comfort Zone Camp

Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement organization that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Their programs are free of charge and include confidence building activities and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings. Comfort Zone’s programs are offered to children ages 7-17, and their families for the family programs, plus young adult programs for 18-25 year olds.

Director of Operations, Katie Bigelow, and other members of the True North Financial Partners Team have participated over the years in walks for CZC in support of the camp.